Don't Be In A Hurry To Trim Lower Limbs

GARDENING - THE PLANT DOCTOR

QUESTION: We planted some small trees that have grown to about 12 feet tall. How long should we leave the lower limbs attached? How close should they be cut to the trunk?

ANSWER: Leave the limbs on the trunk until they interfere with work or passage under the trees. Allowing the limbs to grow during the the early years helps strengthen the trunk.

When necessary, remove a limb or two at a time. Don't be in a hurry to strip the trunk of the lower limbs. Of course, dead or declining limbs should be removed as necessary.

Prune the limbs back to the branch collar, an obvious ridge of tissue extending out from the trunk. This may appear to leave a stub, but the wound should heal faster. Do not apply pruning paints to the wound.

How to sod in shade

Q: We are preparing a shady site for new sod. Should I till the soil under the trees before adding new grass? Also, when should I apply the fertilizer?

A: Tilling the soil under a tree may be difficult. Expect lots of surface roots from the tree. Also, tilling the ground is likely to cause significant damage to the roots and lead to some decline of the tree.

Before sodding the shady site, determine if grass is the best ground cover. If there is more than 25 percent shade, you probably should switch to Asiatic jasmine, ivy, mondo grass or a similar ground cover.

Where sod is still the best choice, eliminate the weeds and then rake the surface of the soil to loosen the ground and remove debris. If the tree roots are extremely close to the surface, add an inch or two of clean topsoil or compost. This gives the turf a root-free area to begin growth before competing with the tree.

One tall, one small tree

Q: I would like to plant two trees in my yard that could add some leaf or flower color. I would like one large and one small tree. Do you have any suggestions?

A: Let's start with the taller tree, or perhaps a shade tree, for the landscape. Some with attractive blossoms include the golden-rain tree, magnolia and yellow poinciana. If attractive fall leaf color is enough, then you might be happy with the red maple or sweet gum.

A number of small flowering trees could be added to the landscape. One that's enticing but a challenge due to the warmish climate is the white dogwood. Perhaps better choices are bottlebrush, chickasaw plum, crape myrtle, Jerusalem thorn, redbud and tabebuia.

Care of calla lily seeds

Q: This summer I saved seeds from my calla lilies and would like to know how they should be planted. Do they need special treatment?

A: The fresh seed is ready to germinate but should be placed in warm water and left to soak for 24 hours before sowing. After the treatment, spread the seed over the surface of a shallow container filled with potting soil and place the container in a bright location.

Keep the soil moist, and germination should begin within 30 days. Some seeds may need up to 90 days to start growth. Keep in filtered sun and feed every other week with a liquid fertilizer.

When the new calla lilies become crowded, transplant the seedlings to individual pots to flower in about one year.

Pruning nectarines

Q: I would like to prune my nectarine tree as soon as the fruit is picked. Would I damage the tree by trimming out of season?

A: Major pruning to limit tree size and regulate fruit production normally is performed during December or January. Some summer pruning is used to keep limbs in bounds and allow better care of the trees.

Try to complete the pruning by midsummer which is about the time peach and nectarine trees begin developing flower buds that produce spring blooms.

Keep the trees growing into the fall months by applying a late summer feeding. Also apply fungicide treatments as needed to prevent early fall leaf drop. The loss of foliage could encourage premature blooms often damaged by cold winter weather.